Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Malaysia: Children latest H1N1 fatalities

[This article is older]


From Onset to Death: 5 days
Death #5

10 yo girl
Onset: 7/27- no breathing problems. Outpatient treatment @ private clinic.
Treated as outpatient: 7/28 - started breathing difficulties.
Treated @ Bagan Serai health clinic.
DOD: 7/31, while obtaining treatment at Bagan Serai health clinic.


From Onset to Death: 6 days
Death #6
:
11 yo boy
Onset: 7/28 - fever only.
Adm: 7/29 - fever only.
ICU: 7/30 - condition worsened.
Confirmation: 8/1
DOD: 8/2


by Karen Arukesamy and Opalyn Mok

PETALING JAYA (Aug 2, 2009): Malaysia registered its fifth and sixth Influenza A (H1N1) deaths today. Both the victims are children, one in Perak and the other in Johor.

A 10-year-old girl died in Perak at 5.30pm on Friday due to severe pneumonic changes while an 11-year-old boy died in Hospital Sultanah Aminah at 8.30am on Saturday. Both were found to have been infected by the virus.

Health director-general Tan Sri Mohd Ismail Merican said in a statement today the boy was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday after coming down with fever for one whole day. But he did not have other symptoms like cough or breathing difficulty.

"The boy's condition worsened while under treatment and was referred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) the following day. Tests showed he had lung infection and myocarditis
and was confirmed positive of A(H1N1) at 11am on Saturday.

"Due to the patient's health complications, he died," he said.

The girl, who had been ill since July 27, initially sought outpatient treatment at a private clinic but did not have any breathing problems.

However, she complained of breathing difficulties the next day and was treated at a Bagan Serai health clinic and was reported to be stable.

While receiving treatment, the girl had another bout of breathing difficulties
and she passed out and was pronounced dead 5.30am.


Thirty-nine new cases were detected in the last 24 hours bringing the country's total number of cases to 1,429 with six deaths to date.

Mohd Ismail said of the latest cases, 35 of them are from eight clustered cases from various states while four others are sporadic cases, including a seven-months-pregnant woman.

"Of the total number of cases, 1,394 (98%) have recovered, only 19 cases (1%) are receiving antiviral treatment in hospital with eight placed under the ICU and another 10 are being treated with antiviral at home," he said.

Five of the cases in ICU have risk factors like obesity, pregnancy and weak immunity.

The World Health Organisation reported yesterday a total of 183,826 confirmed cases with 1,301 deaths from 167 countries. Two new countries reported to have been infected were Channel Island and Moldova.

"The Health Ministry has decided that those who show Influenza-like-illness (ILI) symptoms and have health risk factors like pregnancy, obesity, asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes and low immunity should be given antiviral treatments immediately without doing a test to confirm the infection of the virus. The test is only needed for cases that are being treated in hospitals.

"Students, including those in institutions of higher learning who have ILI symptoms, are urged not to attend classes or any group activities. They can resume classes or attend their group activities after being free from the symptoms for one whole day," said Mohd Ismail.

In GEORGE TOWN, a total of 33 places in Penang were reported to have cluster cases of people with influenza-like illnesses today.

Health, welfare and caring society committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the infected places include a total of 19 institutions of learning both on the mainland and the island which are still closed.

"The other 14 venues are residential areas. Six institutions have already reopened after q week's closure," he said.

Currently, four patients are warded in Penang Hospital and two in the Seberang Jaya Hospital due to pneumonia and influenza A (H1N1).

Phee said: "It s worrying how the disease can spread. Health department officers are now conducting awareness programmes in crowded places, including the Penang Turf Club to advise the public to be more vigilant and careful."
hat-tip Shiloh

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